Voluntary Help

ST PIRAN NEEDS YOU

St Piran Trust, in partnership with the Historic Environment Service of Cornwall County Council, is to excavate St Piran's old church.  The ruins of this iconic monument lie buried and neglected on Gear Sands near St Piran's Oratory.

The dig is currently taking place the Trust still needs a number of volunteers to help with the works.  The excavation involves removing 250 tons of sand from the interior of the church and smaller works around the outside.

If you are intending to help you drive to the Holiday Camp, go over the bumps to the first roundabout in the camp, then turn right, following the DIG signs as far as you can go, and park. You can then walk across the dunes to the dig, which you will actually see from where you park the car.

In March last year (2004) English Heritage conducted a geophysical survey of the church and surrounds.  The results showed an indication of tiny ploughed fields and possible buildings.

This will be an exciting project and yet another cycle in the long history of St Piran.  The total costs of the dig and related works will be £63000, the bulk of which will be funded by Heritage Lottery Fund, English Heritage and Cornwall County Council.  However, the Trust as its contribution must raise £7500.  We ask you to consider if you could help us either as a group effort or individually.  Any donation, however small, would help us to help St Piran.  Would you consider, perhaps, a coffee morning or some other fund raising event?  This would also spread the word.

The Trust is happy to come along and update your group on this giant step forward.  As the dig proceeds we shall be there to speak with you if you wish to visit the site.  Next year we hope it will be the oratory.  If you would like to be involved in this or our fundraising activities, please write to the Secretary, Eileen Carter, whose address is on the contacts page, giving your name, address, telephone number and email address or you can send her an email.

We look forward to meeting you in the future and hope you join us in our efforts for St Piran who belongs to all the people of Cornwall.